‘Extensive Cracking’ Closes New Stadium

A structural investigation is underway to determine the cause of “pervasive” concrete cracking in a $60 million high school football stadium that has been open less than two years.

Eagle Stadium in Allen, TX, was shut down—immediately and indefinitely—when the problem was discovered. Daily class activities have been relocated.

Closure of the 18-month-old stadium will likely affect spring graduation ceremonies and home football games in the fall, the Allen Independent School District announced Feb. 27.

Photos courtesy of Allen Independent School District

Concrete cracks ranging from one-quarter inch to three-quarters of an inch wide have been found in the main concourse of the Allen's Eagle Stadium, which opened in August 2012.

The 18,000-seat stadium opened in August 2012, financed as part of a $119 million bond issue approved by voters in 2009 with a 63 percent majority vote.

Investigation Underway

Officials said an engineering investigation of cracking and other potential problems in the structure has begun.

Nelson Forensics, a national engineering and consulting firm, has completed about 10 percent of its evaluation of the stadium structure, including the concourse level. Nelson’s preliminary review has confirmed “pervasive cracking,” the officials said.

Nelson will complete a structural evaluation of the entire facility and recommend appropriate repairs.

Repairs could be extensive and take months to complete, the school district said.

‘Unacceptable’

“We are very disappointed and upset that these problems have arisen,” Interim Superintendent Beth Nicholas said.

The repairs could take months and disrupt plans for home football games this fall, officials said.

“It is unacceptable. Our students, families, and the entire community have always supported the district, and our commitment to them is to make sure this issue is appropriately resolved,” she said.

Architect, Builder on Notice

The designer of the facility, PBK Architects, and the builder, Pogue Construction, have been notified and are in discussions with district officials about the issues, according to the school district.

However, a Pogue spokesperson told members of the media that the concrete cracks ranged from a quarter-inch to three-quarters of an inch wide and that tarps were being used to prevent water from getting into the structure.

"There are concerns surrounding the stadium, but we have been—for a long time—part of the solution," said Ben Pogue, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"I'm optimistic that we're going to have a quick resolve to this that will not affect the football season that's coming up."

Both the architect and builder are working on another facility for the school district: a $36 million office building. District officials said an independent review of that project was also underway.